The Royals head into tonight’s game with the Cubs holding down first place in the AL Central. OK… tied for first place in the Central with the Twins. But because they have lost four in a row and many in town are wondering what’s wrong with the Royals? The answer… Nothing.

True the starting pitching is going to need to be better than it has been, but take a look at where the Royals were this time last season.

2015 2014

W’s L’s RS RA W’s L’s RS RA

28 18 215 169 23 23 181 178

The Royals .500 record at this time in 2014 was good for third place in the Central. They were 5.5 games behind the Tigers and a game behind the Twins (I’m pretty sure the Twins aren’t this good this year either). It would get worse before it would get better. The Royals would win their next game and then lose four in a row to fall to a season worst .464 Win-Percentage.

The runs scored and allowed numbers make the Royals look much better than just 5 wins. KC has scored 34 more runs and allowed nine less… that’s 43 runs better in run differential.

If last year’s team was able to make it all the way to the World Series, Royals fans should still be bullish on this team… even with four straight losses. The 2014 Royals had a five game losing streak.

Let’s take a look at where last year’s playoff teams stood 46 games into the 2014 season…

Team W’s L’s Place

Tigers 28 18 1st

Orioles 24 22 2nd

Angels 26 20 2nd

Athletics 30 16 1st

So the Tigers position looks pretty familiar. Bottom line… there is no reason to panic. The Royals are in good shape, as hard as that might be for Royals fans to believe.